InYork County Prisonfor six to 23 months on
a probation violation for a retail theft conviction, Stephanie Schymansky
misses her two young sons.

But on Wednesday, the 29-year-old from Hanover was
laughing and smiling after her reading of the children's book, "The Three
Little Wolves and the Big, Bad Pig," was recorded so it can be sent to her
children. Schymansky is one of 23 female prison inmates so
far to take advantage of the "Beyond Our Walls" program that is
geared toward promoting children's literacy, rehabilitating inmates and helping
to maintain family unity by bridging the emotional gap created by a parent
being in prison.

York County County Commissioner Doug Hoke, who
also is president of the York County Prison Board, introduced the program to
the public on Wednesday.

He said the program "is to help inmates stay
connected with their families, reduce crime and promote literacy."

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Children's books for the inmate mothers
to read and record are provided by the library, Conway said. She said there
also are children's books in Spanish and picture books for inmates with reading
difficulties to create their own story for their child.

Curt Smith, a volunteer with EvCC's
Literacy Program, shares in a lighter moment while tutoring Sepideh Khazeei on
Tuesday in Rainier Hall on the campus of Everett Community College.

Sepideh Khazeei was hard at work on a
writing assignment. She had no problem with the essay topic, “Someone I would
like to meet.” She chose an Iranian movie star. The trouble was, she couldn't
write it in Farsi, her native language.

The young Everett woman came here from
Iran three years ago. Now taking an English as a second language class atEverett Community College, Khazeei is on her way to becoming a fluent English speaker.

“For me, the writing is hard,” she
said Tuesday. She was in the right place to get help in finishing that
assignment by today's deadline.

Curt Smith, a volunteer tutor, was at
her side at a table in EvCC's Rainier Hall. The 80-year-old Mukilteo man
devotes several hours twice each week to helping students through the college'sVolunteer Literacy Program.READ MORE @

The event looked back at last year’s
accomplishments for adults who participated in the program, which focuses on
goal-oriented literacy tutoring to aid locals in
their reading, writing and speaking skills.

Participants come from a variety of
backgrounds and their needs for the program are equally diverse. Some use the
program to become American citizens or to improve their possibilities for
future employment. Others hope to be able to help their children with their
homework. Regardless, the program pairs each participant with a tutor who can
help them reach their goals.

The library recognized three
participants in the program for their accomplishments in 2015. Learner Awards
of Merit and Senate of the State of Wisconsin Citations for Outstanding Service
were awarded to Luz White, Lee Vang and Der Thao. State Sen. Devin LeMahieu
presented the awards.VIDEO

When 47-year-old Linda Weathersby dropped out of high
school in 11th grade, she knew her ability to read was shaky and her ability to
attract a man to help pay the bills was strong.

So she quit high school — a decision she deeply
regrets today.=

I learned that if you were attractive, men would buy
you things,” Weathersby said. “In the end, I guess I chose a car and the
streets over school. School was hard. Dropping out was easy.”

Now, the mother of five is working daily to strengthen
her reading and grammar skills so she can pass the GED. But the process is
expected to take at least a year, and as she is working on her academics, she
has bills to pay.

She earns some of the money she needs through a new
in-house job program atMadison Countians Allied Against Poverty (MadCAAP).Through the
new program, called Project H.O.P.E. (Help Overcome Poverty’s Effects!), Linda
makes a variety of jewelry and is paid by the piece.

So far, some of the pieces she has helped craft
include earrings, bracelets and necklaces. The jewelry varies in style and
color, including aqua-colored stone necklaces with a southwestern flair, and
understated leather necklaces and bracelets with beads or colorful tassels.
Some of the jewelry features oversized Mississippi State and Ole Miss
logos.READ MORE @